The stark contrast between old and new photographs is like a window into history, allowing us to witness how our environment, architecture, and overall appearance have changed dramatically over decades and even centuries. This art form, called "heavy photography", not only captures the traces of time, but also arouses people's endless curiosity and desire to explore by displaying historical and contemporary photographs of the same place side by side.
The world is so vast that there are endless sights that deserve to be re-photographed. In this article, we've selected a selection of iconic photographs that bring to life the most significant changes.
1. Elsie Alcock lived in the same house for 104 years and witnessed the amazing changes of the times.
2. I will take a ride in a World War II Hurricane fighter restored by my grandfather, and feel the leap of history and the journey of reality.
3. The nine-year change of Minamisanriku (Japan), from 2011 to 2020, shows the rapid development of the times.
4. The evolution of Machu Picchu in Peru from 1915 to 2020 highlights the historical significance of one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
5. Lake Mead's change from 1983 to 2021 reflects an astonishing shift in the environment and ecology.
6. The Beresford Building, opposite Central Park in New York, has witnessed the rapid development of the city through landscape changes from 1932 to 2022.
7. The Pines Hotel in Fort Falls, New York, has evolved from the 1950s to the modern era, showing the transformation of architectural styles and traces of history.
8. The transformation of Warsaw's city centre from the ruins of war to a modern metropolis is remarkable in the contrast between 1944 and 2022.
9. The reconstruction of the Western Theatre of Laodicea in Lycus (Turkey), the contrast between 2003 and 2021 highlights the rebirth of cultural heritage.
10. The photographs of the river red eucalyptus trees, separated by 130 years, bear witness to the intertwined influence of nature and human activities.
11. The vicissitudes of the swimming pool of the Bella Bella Hotel in Mozambique, from 1958 to 2015.
12. The revival of abandoned mansions in Poland, from ruins to the restoration of their former beauty.
13. The vitality of a place from abandonment to its current prosperity, the changing times and the development of the city.
14. Crawford Pass, New Hampshire, 1839 vs. 2020, revealing the stability of the natural landscape and the change in human activity.
15. The journey of Japanese mini-submarines in World War II from abandonment to discovery in Alaska, the comparison between 1943 and 2022 is thought-provoking.
16. The history and modernity of Avon Glen and Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol 1810 and 2021 show the harmony of industry and nature.
17. The transformation of the Lebanese port of Byblos from 1950 to 2022 reflects the close connection between maritime trade and urban development.
18. The changes of the Old Yankee Stadium in New York from 2007 to 2023 have witnessed the renewal and replacement of the stadium.
19. Grossinger's outdoor pool, Olympic size, built in 1949 at a cost of $400,000, equivalent to $5 million today.
20. Sydney, Australia's wonderland, is now gone.
21. The changes in Itapema, South Carolina, Brazil, over the past 50 years have revealed the challenges of urban sprawl and environmental protection.
22. Wolgan Bay's changes from the 1800s to the 2020s reflect the historical changes in Norway's coastline.
23. Kedarnath Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, India, 1882 and 2022 photograph.
24. The revitalization of the port area of Rio de Janeiro reflects the close integration of urban planning and economic development.
25. The evolution of the Elbbückbridge Bridge in Germany from 1959 to 2023 demonstrates the progress of bridge construction and technology.
26. My photo in Times Square is the same as my grandfather's photo in the same place in the 70s.
27. Utah, 1890s vs. 2020s.
28. The development of crop irrigation in the Arabian Desert is a reflection of humanity's ability to transform and exploit the natural environment.
29. The transformation of the Pagman Gardens in Afghanistan during the turbulent years shows the influence of war and peace on garden art.
30. The contrast between the historical and modern restoration of the Nanjing City Wall demonstrates the harmonious coexistence of cultural relics protection and urban development.
31. Evolution of the retreat of the Svartisen glacier in Norway, before and after the evidence of global warming.
These contrasts bear witness to the evolution of the times, allowing us to cherish the present and look forward to the future.